The Glade 4.0

**** money. I am tired of it. I have a very modest mortgage, miniscule car payment, low student loan bills. I brown bag it every day, never go out to eat, don't do the impulse shopping thing but yet I am always broke. Whenever I manage to scrape away something into savings I am immediately faced with a crisis of sufficient proportion to wipe it out.

_________________

Hmm, sounds like about 20 years of my life.

Keep on Truckin'

Get a better job, make more money. The cutting expense stuff gets old and doesn't go all that far. Those little problems always seem to pop up when you least expect them. I started budgeting for them. When they stopped happening for awhile the money became my savings account. Now I have a decent buffer. I also make a bit more.

_________________
The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. B. Franklin

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." -- Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones

How old are you?

If you maintain that lifestyle for the rest of you life, you'll probably end up rolling in dough. Ever read the stories about the janitor that, when he passed, turned out to have a million in the bank?

Try to consider this an eduction.

When you make a bit more, try to concentrate on buying something good once as opposed to buying disposables many times... and if you can't look back at the previous years expenditures and see tangible, existing proof of where your money went, you're making mistakes. When you find yourself asking "Where did my money go?", consider that a wake up call.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

30

It isn't much of a life. No vacations, no new cars, gadgets, etc. Let alone repairs/upgrades to the 54 year-old house.



Good advice.

_________________

Do you do any of your own car maintenance? I used to always take it to a mechanic because I had the rationale that I didn't want to break something important and make my car dangerous. Once I started doing my own maintenance I realized how hard that actually is to do. I suppose it does suck if you're single and have nobody to give you a ride if you don't get it fixed in time. But I've saved grips of cash by doing most of my own maintenance. It just sucks committing to four hours of work.

_________________
The Dude abides.

I'm in a similar situation, Hopwin.

Although when my Wife starts grad school next year, things should ease up financially.

We're careful with our money, and we can generally make ends meet unless something unexpected comes up. And it always seems to.

Whether it's one of our pets needing an expensive Vet visit, one of us having to go to the doctor/dentist, the car needing to have the brakes replaced, or something else similar.

We have insurance, but we just stick with major medical- it keeps the bills moderate, as opposed to some other policies, but it means we have more month to month bills.

It seems like every time we get our buffer saved up (each of our medical deductibles, a few months rent) something happens and we have to spend a chunk of it.

It's frustrating, but at least I can happily say that we aren't in debt, we have some savings, and we have good credit.

But I'd really like to be in a more stable situation where I could start investing more long term instead of just saving up short term buffer funds.

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

For the love of God don't jinx me. I haven't needed to do any but when I do, it is a Civic Hybrid.

_________________

Exactly.

_________________

Dude, I'm talking about brake jobs, hoses, suspension, etc - not replacing a tranny.

_________________
The Dude abides.

At 30, your career/adult life has basically just recently kicked in.

Things get better.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Hopwin,

Just remember; money is not the best answer either. Here in Vegas, when it is not oppressively hot.. we can go get a loaf of French Bread from the grocery store and spend a few hours at the park playing and feeding the ducks.

It costs nothing to go for walks (so I have heard.. I do not walk outside.. there is that daystar thing). I do realize money does significantly help, but the best things in life really do not cost anything extra.

_________________
Darksiege
Traveller, Calé, Whisperer
Lead me not into temptation; for I know a shortcut